Aditya Birla SL Nifty SDL Apr 2027 Index Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- August 31, 2026
- Posted by: Harsh Piplani
- Category: Mutual Funds
Aditya Birla SL Nifty SDL Apr 2027 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan had a NAV of ₹13.311 as of 28 August 2026 and scheme AUM of ₹3,286 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 5.99%, 7.35% and 0%, and the fund sits in the Low Risk category. In our view, this is a conservative index fund for investors who want relatively steady behaviour, but the return profile has been modest rather than standout.
The portfolio is overwhelmingly in government securities, which supports the low-risk profile but also limits diversification across sectors. The fund is more suited to investors who value stability and a defined maturity-linked structure over higher return potential.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹13.311 |
| AUM | ₹3,286 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.21% |
| Launch Date | 28 Jan 2022 |
| Min SIP | ₹500 |
| Risk Category | Low Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Index Funds |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Bhupesh Bameta; Harshil Suvarnkar |
The fund is managed by Bhupesh Bameta and Harshil Suvarnkar.
Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | 0.39% | -0.85% |
| 3M | 1.49% | 3.39% |
| 1Y | 5.99% | -2.29% |
| 3Y | 7.35% | 6.40% |
| 5Y | Data not available | Data not available |
Recent performance has been uneven, but the fund has still stayed positive over the short windows that are available. The 1-month return is small but positive, while the 3-month return is also positive even though the benchmark has been stronger over that same stretch. That tells us the fund has not simply moved in lockstep with the benchmark over every short period.
The 1-year number is the clearest strength in the current record. The fund has delivered a positive 1-year return while the benchmark return is negative over the same horizon, which points to a better outcome through a difficult stretch for the benchmark. That said, the 3-year return is more modest and only slightly ahead of the benchmark, so the fund’s advantage has not been large or consistent across every horizon.
The long-dated pattern suggests a slow and relatively contained compounding path rather than sharp upside. The 3-year progression is gradual, which fits the fund’s low-risk profile and government-security-heavy structure. For investors, that means the fund may be better understood as a steadier debt-oriented holding than as a return-chasing index strategy.
Overall, our view is that the fund’s recent behaviour is more resilient than exciting. It has handled the last year better than the benchmark, but the longer view still points to measured gains rather than strong compounding.
Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Aditya Birla SL Nifty SDL Apr 2027 Index?
A fund’s past returns alone don’t tell you whether you should buy it today or continue holding it.
The right decision depends on factors such as your current allocation, purchase price, risk profile, investment horizon and the role this fund plays in your overall portfolio.
Already holding Aditya Birla SL Nifty SDL Apr 2027 Index? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aditya Birla SL Nifty SDL Apr 2027 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 5.99% | 7.35% | Data not available |
| ICICI Pru NASDAQ 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 35.24% | 31.25% | Data not available |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Capital Market Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 32.35% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Tata Nifty Capital Markets Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 32.08% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty India Defence Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 31.90% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Aditya Birla SL Nifty India Defence Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 31.89% | Data not available | Data not available |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639. On the return figures available here, the fund trails several peers on 1-year numbers, while its 3-year result is far more restrained than the faster-moving equity-themed funds in the table. The short-term comparison and the longer-term picture do not tell the same story: the fund has been steadier, but that steadiness has also meant materially lower return potential than the more growth-oriented peers.
Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
Market-cap distribution
| Segment | Allocation |
|---|---|
| Large Cap | 0% |
| Mid Cap | 0% |
| Small Cap | 0% |
| Other / Government securities and cash | 100% |
| Sector | Weight | Holdings |
|---|---|---|
| Government Securities | 97% |
|
| Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 3% |
|
The portfolio has no equity-style market-cap exposure, and that makes the structure very different from a typical diversified equity fund. With 100% classified as other exposure and the visible sector mix concentrated in government securities and cash-like assets, the fund is built around fixed-income stability rather than broad market participation.
Government securities at 97% are materially larger than the 3% cash and net assets bucket, so the portfolio is clearly dominated by sovereign-style interest-rate exposure. Within that structure, the two listed state government securities are the only visible individual holdings of note, and they may carry the greatest influence on the fund’s behaviour because of their size and central role in the portfolio.
This allocation profile can help explain the subdued but steady return pattern. It may limit upside in strong risk-on phases, but it could also keep the fund’s day-to-day behaviour relatively contained compared with equity-oriented strategies.
Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026
Who should invest
This fund suits conservative investors who are comfortable with low-risk fixed-income style exposure and want a defined, government-security-led portfolio. The low-risk label and the lack of equity market-cap exposure make it more appropriate for investors who value steadiness over aggressive return potential.
A longer investment horizon is helpful because the 3-year result is modest and the fund’s return pattern has been gradual rather than fast. The main trade-off is straightforward: you are likely accepting lower return ambition in exchange for a more contained risk profile and a portfolio that is largely anchored in government securities.
Tax and exit load
| Holding period | Tax rate | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Units held less than 1 year | 20% | Short-term capital gains tax |
| Units held more than 1 year | 12.5% | Long-term capital gains tax |
Exit load
No exit load.
Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of Aditya Birla SL Nifty SDL Apr 2027 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹13.311 as of 28 August 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s 1-year return is 5.99%, its 3-year return is 7.35%, and its 5-year return is Data not available.
How does the fund compare with its benchmark?
It has done better than the benchmark over 1 year and slightly better over 3 years. Over 3 months, the benchmark has been stronger.
What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹500.
What is the risk category and what does the portfolio look like?
The fund is in the Low Risk category. Its portfolio is concentrated in government securities, with 97% in that bucket and 3% in cash and cash equivalents plus net assets.
Who manages the fund and is there an exit load?
The fund is managed by Bhupesh Bameta and Harshil Suvarnkar. There is no exit load.
Bottom line
This fund’s recent numbers look steadier than its longer view suggests, with the 1-year return stronger than the benchmark but the 3-year result still fairly modest. Compared with the peer set on available return data, it sits well below the faster-moving equity-themed funds, which shows that its low-risk structure comes with clear return restraint. The portfolio is heavily concentrated in government securities, so this is a conservative, fixed-income style choice rather than a broad market play.
Published on 31 August 2026 at 5:09 PM IST
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RIA disclosure
Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks. Read all scheme-related documents carefully before investing. This review is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. (earlier known as Uniapps Global Research Pvt. Ltd.) under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639 for general informational purposes and is not personalized investment advice.
